Great Lakes water levels rebound after long slump

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNAjvMM2VhBC3Uc8RKBBOKrMGcUAD99GVVOG6

Great Lakes water levels rebound after long slump

By JOHN FLESHER (AP)

LUDINGTON, Mich. — Great Lakes water levels are rebounding after a decade-long slump that hammered the maritime industry and even fed conspiracy theories about plots to drain the inland seas that make up nearly one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water.

The three biggest lakes — Superior, Huron and Michigan — have risen steadily since fall 2007, when for a couple of months Superior's levels were the lowest on record and the others nearly so. Erie, shallowest of the lakes, actually exceeded its long-term average in June. So did Lake Ontario, although its level is determined more by artificial structures than nature.

The lakes follow cycles, rising and falling over time. Scientists say it's a natural process with environmental benefits, such as replenishing coastal wetlands. But extreme ups or downs can wreak havoc for people.

During the mid-1980s, levels got so high that houses, businesses and even sections of roads were swept away along Lake Michigan's southeastern shoreline.

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[shraby]

1. I live on the western shore of Lake Michigan and the

lake levels don't look like they've come up at all. The beach is still much farther out than it was when I moved here. The level still appears to be falling.

[MADem]

2. Here's hoping the trend continues. We've gotten a lot of rain this year in the northeast

The joint is starting to look like Ireland!

[grace0418]

3. Well, in Chicago we had a horrible, long winter with lots of snow followed by a

wet sprint and summer without much sun. So it's no surprise the levels are up, even though it's been a terrible summer (weather-wise) so far.

[Wednesdays]

4. K&R

:kick: